PT123.S1.P3.Q19

PrepTest 123 - Section 1 - Passage 3 - Question 19

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The following passage was written in the mid-1990s.

The demand for electricity in certain countries has been projected recently to grow by 50 percent by the year 2010. Unfortunately, the increased use of fossil fuels to generate this electricity may ultimately damage human and environmental health. For example, emissions of air pollutants in these countries are expected to double over the next 25 years, even if energy is used efficiently, so that local urban air quality will likely deteriorate. Renewable sources of electricity, such as solar radiation, wind, and waterpower, are possible solutions to the problems caused by increasing demand for electricity. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are available in virtually all geographic regions, and they allow electricity production without dangerous environmental pollutants. Additionally, these sources can usually be located closer to consumers than can plants that use fossil fuels, thus reducing transmission and distribution costs. Technologies for the successful long-term exploitation of these resources, however, are not always implemented successfully.

P1

In rural Brazil, for example, millions of citizens do not have electricity, and the lack of necessary infrastructure has limited efforts to provide it. In 1992, an energy agency from the United States developed a joint project with two Brazilian states to install 800 household solar electrical systems and train local personnel to service them. …

Problem · Use of fossil fuels to meet increasing electricity demand
Under the project's terms, local utilities install, maintain, and own the systems, and collect fees from users. …
Illustrate problem · Increased air pollution
Backers hoped the project would attract enough private investment for substantial expansion throughout Brazil. …
Solution · Renewable energy
But the project directors rejected the relatively high bids of local Brazilian companies to produce the solar collectors and thus missed an opportunity to stimulate local production. Consequently, a short-term savings in start-up costs precluded the long-term benefits deriving from the development of local production capacity and technological skill, which eventually would have led to independence from costly foreign expertise. …
Support solution · Benefits of renewable energy
Widely available, non-polluting, lower costs
As a result, participating utilities can generate only enough income to cover operating and maintenance costs, which makes further investment and expansion unlikely. Thus, the movement toward a sustainable, rural electricity system in Brazil remains stalled.

Limitation of solution · Implementation of renewable energy is not always successful
P2

But some efforts have avoided these pitfalls. In the mid-1980s, a Danish energy agency helped agencies in India build three modern wind turbine plants and gradually develop local technical capacity. Local participants were trained in planning, operation, maintenance, and construction of turbines. Indian firms subsequently began manufacturing turbines and, as more locally manufactured equipment became available, Indian utilities were able to increase their use of wind energy profitably. …

Introduce example · of unsuccessful renewable energy effort
Solar energy project in rural Brazil
The success of these small projects spurred enthusiasm; Indian utilities were soon ordering more equipment and private investment in wind energy surged. Because the Danish agency, unlike its U.S. counterpart, recognized the importance of local involvement at all levels, the project has a good chance of remaining competitive and profitable for the long run.

Challenges · with Brazilian solar energy project
Project relied on foreign manufacturers and failed to invest in local solar energy industry
Passage Style
Problem-analysis
Single position
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19.

The author's discussion in the third sentence of the passage is intended primarily to

a

substantiate the claim that the demand for electricity will climb 50 percent by the year 2010

The purpose is connected to the line immediately before the highlighted portion, because the highlighted portion begins with “for example.” We’re getting an example of how increased use of fossil fuels can damage human and environmental health.

4%
b

undermine the claim that efficient energy use is an effective means of addressing environmental problems caused by increased energy demand

Although the highlighted line does indicate that air pollutant emissions will double even if energy is used efficiently, the purpose of the highlighted line isn’t to counter a claim about efficiency. The purpose is connected to the line immediately before the highlighted portion. We’re getting an example of how increased use of fossil fuels can damage human and environmental health. It wouldn’t make sense for the highlighted portion to begin with “For example” if the purpose isn’t connected to the line immediately preceding “For example.”

12%
c

specify the time frame within which it will be necessary to develop renewable energy technology

The purpose is connected to the line immediately before the highlighted portion, because the highlighted portion begins with “for example.” We’re getting an example of how increased use of fossil fuels can damage human and environmental health. The author mentions air pollutants will double within 25 years, but she doesn’t suggest that we need to develop renewable energy technology within 25 years.

7%
d

offer evidence for the claim that fossil fuels are a problematic source of electricity

This best captures the purpose. We’re getting an example of how increased use of fossil fuels can damage human and environmental health. In other words, we’re getting evidence for the claim that fossil fuels are a problematic source of electricity (because of the harm they may cause).

68%
e

foreshadow a claim concerning the need for localized involvement in environmentally sound technological development

The purpose is connected to the line immediately before the highlighted portion, because the highlighted portion begins with “for example.” We’re getting an example of how increased use of fossil fuels can damage human and environmental health. Local participation isn’t connected to the idea that fossil fuels will damage human and environmental health.

9%

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